Ac⟁demic Researcher
BA Classical Studies
University of Manchester
2016
MA Medieval and Early Modern Studies
University of Manchester
2020
- History of Astronomy
- Scientific Instruments
- Book History
- Material Culture
- Volvelles
- Digital Humanities
My research focuses on the accessibility of astronomical knowledge in the early modern period through paper moveable instruments, namely volvelles.
I use Peter Apian's Cosmographia as a case study item. Particularly, a copy of this book that is held at the John Rylands Library. This copy includes handmade volvelles that were added by a previous owner.
I explore how learning through the tactile and visual senses allows Visual Thinking and Material Engagement and therefore a wider audience were able to utilise volvelles as a pedagogical tool.
Additionally, I explore how these volvelles are digitally represented in collections today. Is the interactivity of a volvelle shown in digital facsimiles of these book pages? My next project is working on a solution to this, to allow a remote audience to engage and interact with volvelles - as the volvelles were originally intended to be used.
Exhibition of astronomical volvelles
Rylands Gallery in the John Rylands Library, Manchester.
December 2021 - May 2022.
This exhibition displayed several books and digital facsimiles that featured astronomical volvelles, based off of my research for my MA thesis.
With thanks to items or digital facsimiles from: the John Rylands Library in Manchester, Chetham's Library in Manchester, and The Old Library, Magdalen College in Oxford.
I have also created a virtual volvelle.